India win Against Pakistan in Asia Cup


Team India registered their first win against Pakistan in the Asia Cup since 1988. The Men in Blue beat the archrivals by six wickets in the Group B match in Karachi on Thursday. Chasing a target of 300 runs, India overhauled Pakistan comprehensively in 42.1 overs. This was also the quickest win for India while chasing 300 runs.


Suresh Raina raises his bat after he scored 50 runs during a Asia Cup Group B match between India and Pakistan at The National Cricket Stadium in Karachi on June 26, 2008.



Left-hander Suresh Raina continued from where he left in the previous match against minnows Hong Kong, clobbering a 69-ball 84.

Despite putting up a huge total for the visitors to chase, Pakistan failed to restrict the Men in Blue as Suresh Raina and Virender Sehwag played blistering strokes to beat the archrivals


Virendra Sehwag plays a shot for six during a Asia Cup Group B match between India and Pakistan at The National Cricket Stadium in Karachi on June 26, 2008.

Sehwag smashed a 95-ball 119 and Suresh Raina hit a 68-ball 84 during their 198-run second wicket stand to help India overhaul Pakistan's 299-4 with 7.5 overs to spare.

Earlier, Shoaib Malik hit his first century as captain to help Pakistan post a challenging target.

Shoaib Malik jumps in the air as he avoids a bouncer during a Asia Cup Group B match between India and Pakistan at The National Cricket Stadium in Karachi on June 26, 2008.


Early on, Malik appeared to be struggling against RP Singh, who had looked dangerous against the right-handers in the match against Hong Kong with his in-swing.

But Malik weathered the storm, and soon a boundary an over became par for the course for him.

Thanks to his efforts, Pakistan amassed a huge total — just one short of 300 — setting India a difficult target given the conditions, especially under lights. At one stage, however, it had looked like they would get much more.



Ishant Sharma delivers the ball during a Asia Cup Group B match between India and Pakistan at The National Cricket Stadium in Karachi on June 26, 2008.

Younis Khan struck a belligerent 59, and Mohammad Yousuf and Misbah-ul Haq improvised towards the end of the innings but Pakistan managed only 80 off the last 11 overs — not nearly enough considering the platform Malik had given them by the time he succumbed to cramps in the 39th over.